China Prepares to Provide Loans of US$55 Million to Cambodia

Posted on 2 February 2008.

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 545

“Phnom Penh: The government of the People’s Republic of China prepares to provide low-interest loans of US$55 million to Cambodia, while China will allow Cambodia to export an extra number of goods into China without collecting taxes on them. This was announced by Mr. Yang Jiechi, the Chinese foreign minister, as he met to discuss in the afternoon of 1 February with his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Hor Namhong.

“After both sides discussed for approximately half an hour, the Cambodian and the Chinese foreign ministers held a joint press conference.

“Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong said that he considered the present tour of the delegation, led by the Chinese foreign minister to Cambodia, as the first top-level visit from the People’s Republic of China to Cambodia during the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“Both sides agreed, in view of the long-term good friendship and the active and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, which have been established by the former Father King Norodom Sihanouk and other persons of top-ranking leadership until now, there are now also His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, who are the successors to further strengthen the relation between the two countries.

“Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong informed the Chinese side about the current situation in Cambodia, about politics and the economy, which show improvements in all the sectors, while Cambodia is experiencing a high rate of economic growth. This growth cannot be seen without relation to the assistance received from the Chinese people and the Chinese government. Taking the opportunity, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong profoundly thanked the Chinese people and government for providing Cambodia with a lot of assistances in all sectors.

“Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong said, ‘We have agreed that China’s investment in the hydropower sector, worth nearly US$1 billion, is very important for the development of the economy and for investments in Cambodia.’

“He added, ‘We have also agreed that both ministries of foreign affairs would hold meetings frequently and regularly to support the cooperation in all sectors, including on the international stage.’

“Mr. Yang Jiechi also thanked and highly evaluated the Cambodian government for always supporting the One-China Policy of the People’s Republic of China, and for strongly protesting against acts calling for the independence of Taiwan, using the trick to ask for membership in the United Nations.

“Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong confirmed that the Cambodian government still considers the island of Taiwan as a province of the People’s Republic of China, and this province cannot be separated from China, even though some tricks are attempted to do so. He further stated that past tricks of Taiwan, and eventual future tricks, cannot cause dangers in the region.
“Particularly in relation to the development of the Cambodian economy, Mr. Yang Jiechi continued to support the investment in hydropower in Cambodia, also encouraging many more Chinese tourists to visit Cambodia, and China will make preparations to provide for more duty-free arrangements for goods coming from Cambodia. Nowadays, the Chinese side provides such arrangements for more than 400 items from Cambodia being exported to China without paying import tax.

“According to Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, the Chinese side provided Cambodia in the past years with low-interest loans of US$300 million for the construction of infrastructure, and with these loans, Cambodia built two bridges and four sections of national roads.

“Mr. Yang Jiechi stated that China is prepared to grant Cambodia further loans of US$55 million, to build the road from O Pong Man, Steung Treng, to Ban Lung, Ratanakiri, after the completion of National Road 7 towards the Lao border.

“Mr. Yang Jiechi expressed the hope that both countries of Cambodia and China would continue to improve their friendly relation and their cooperation, and China always supports Cambodia’s role on the international stage.

“Availing himself of the opportunity, Mr. Yang Jiechi invited Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong to pay a formal visit again to the People’s Republic of China soon in 2008.

“It should be noted that in the morning of 1 February, Mr. Yang Jiechi was granted an audience with His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and in the afternoon the Chinese foreign minister was also granted an audience with Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“Mr. Yang Jiechi arrived in Phnom Penh in the evening of 31 January, and he will conclude his formal visit to Cambodia in the morning of 2 February, leaving for China by a special flight.”

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol. 16, #4505, 2.2.2008

Weekly Business Round-up (February 02, 2008)

By WILLIAM BOOT/BANGKOK
Saturday, February 2, 2008

Chinese Influence in Burma’s Gas Industry Grows

China’s involvement in Burma’s gas industry continues to expand. The state Chinese Offshore Oil Corporation is now negotiating to acquire stakes in several of Thailand’s offshore exploration projects.

CNOOC, which is already set to monopolize the large gas reserve in two wells in the Shwe fields off Burma’s west coast, is expected to reach an agreement with PTT Exploration and Production Company for shares in the Thai enterprise’s M3, M4 and M9 blocks off the east coast of the Gulf of Martaban.

PTTEP, which is majority owned by the Thai government and other state institutions, has disclosed it is considering some form of co-development with the Chinese—possibly to share some of the rising costs of producing undersea gas.

PTTEP disclosed this week that it may sell 20 percent stakes in the blocks or engage in a co-development exchange for some of CNOOC’s onshore oil and gas projects in Burma.
Thailand is currently the biggest buyer of Burma’s gas, which helps fuel the Thai power-generating industry.

In recent months, PTTEP revealed that its exploratory drilling in the M9 block—close to the shores of both Burma and Thailand —had discovered a minimum quantity of gas there at 1.8 trillion cubic feet (50 billion cubic meters), second only to the Shwe finds.

CNOOC involvement in M9 would give the Chinese an overwhelming influence in Burma’s known gas reserves.

China recently was named the sole buyer of the gas in the Shwe field’s A1 and A3 blocks, confirmed to have 6 trillion cubic feet (200 billion meters) of recoverable gas.

China used its influence with the Burmese generals to win the rights, overcoming bids from India, South Korea and Thailand.

Burmese Electricity Projects Biggest Foreign Investments in 2007

Despite Burma’s growing revenue from gas sales, the biggest foreign investment in Burma is in electricity project developments, according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua.

A total of US $6.3 billion was invested, or pledged, by foreign businesses in Burma’s power sector, compared with $3.2 billion in oil and gas development.

Much of the investment in electrical power is destined for hydroelectric projects on rivers which flow through Burma from China—and most of the planned electricity generation is destined for China or Thailand.

Virtually none of the investment in Burma’s “power sector” will benefit the Burmese, say analysts. The country has one of the least developed electricity systems in East Asia, with a generating capacity for 52 million people that is about equal to that consumed by neighboring Bangkok, the Thai capital.

The biggest power development investment comes from a Thai-Chinese consortium for a 7,000 megawatt hydro scheme on the Salween River; the electricity is destined to be sent across the border into Thailand.

Ironically, some of this power could indirectly end up in another underdeveloped Southeast Asian country with little electricity generation—Cambodia.

The Asian Development Bank announced on January 31 a $7 million loan to the Cambodians to build transmission lines to import electricity from Thailand into western Cambodia, including to the tourism hub of Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat.

“The development will be a boost for the economy of northwest Cambodia, not just in tourism but also in agriculture, services and manufacturing,” said an ADB statement.

New Thai Government Could Threaten Burmese Remittances

The round up of about 250 Burmese migrant workers at a Bangkok garment factory this week highlights worries over a new crackdown on illegal workers by the new Thai government.

A migrant worker crackdown could undermine large scale remittances to financially desperate families in Burma.

An estimated 1.5 to 2 million Burmese working in Thailand are illegal immigrants, but their presence has until now been convenient for both countries.

Cheap Burmese labor helps Bangkok’s booming construction industry and elsewhere—notably in the garments trade—and helps to keep Thailand competitive. The money sent home by the Burmese workers helps keep the junta’s floundering economy afloat.

But the arrival or a newly elected, more nationalistic government in Bangkok, coupled with fears of a downturn in the economy, could change labor and immigration policies, say analysts and social welfare activists.

The Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association, based in Mae Sot, says that despite the risks more Burmese will continue to cross the border to look for work in Thailand.

“The recent surge in inflation [in Burma] has created a devastating economic situation, further contributing to a rising number of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand,” the association says on its Web site. Migrants generally work in factories, fisheries, agriculture, farming, construction, entertainment and domestic sectors.

Chinese foreign minister ends gift-laden Cambodia visit

Sat, 02 Feb 2008
Author : DPA

Phnom Penh - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi ended an official visit to Cambodia Saturday, officials said, but not before dealing out gifts and promises fit for a Chinese New Year.

Jiechi met with Cambodian king Norodom Sihamoni, officially inviting him for a return state visit. He also met with high officials including his counterpart, Hor Namhong, and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Jienchi pledged 55-million dollars for road and bridge construction, and millions more in soft loans to develop the country's struggling power grid, according to government spokesmen.

He also pledged tax-free imports for 400 Cambodian products into China as well as negotiating to increase Chinese tourism to the country. Tourism is Cambodia's second largest industry and China is becoming one its major sources behind South Korea and Japan.

China is also Cambodia's largest foreign investor and one of its closest allies. The visit had been aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Controversy at the Cambodia tribunal

Dutch lawyer debarred after challenging authorities

By our correspondent Michel Maas*
02-02-2008

It had all the hallmarks of a bad omen. The tuk-tuk driver couldn't find Phnom Penh's Royal Palace. It's like a Paris cabbie telling you he doesn't know where the Eiffel Tower is.

Dutch lawyer Victor Koppe was almost late for the session at the appeals court, across from the palace, where he was to be sworn in as a member of the Cambodian bar. An unlikely coincidence, he thought, could this be a conspiracy?

Earlier this week Mr Koppe ruffled feathers by demanding the resignation of one of the Cambodian judges of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, due to start its work on Monday.

The judge in question, Ney Thol, is a prominent member of the ruling Communist party and an army general, and presided over Cambodia's military tribunal - not someone to be easily removed. On Monday, the court is to begin hearing Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's most senior surviving leader, accused of being responsible for the murder of 1.7 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.

Of the five top leaders the tribunal is to try, he is the highest-ranking. Also known as "Brother Number Two", Nuon Chea was second-in-command to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, who died in 1997.

UnauthorisedIt didn't take long before the Dutch lawyer was confronted with the consequences of challenging Cambodia's authorities. On Friday, Cambodia's bar refused to swear him in. By signing a petition requesting the judge's removal before being sworn in, the Dutch lawyer overstepped his bounds and was debarred as a punishment.

Ly Tai Seng, the bar's secretary-general, was quick to deny that his dismissal was a reprisal by the Cambodian government. Unasked, he emphasised there had been "no political pressure".

Tribunal in perilThe bar's ruling threatens to jeopardise the tribunal's procedures. Mr Koppe warned that if the court barred him from defending Mr Chea, no other lawyers would attend the hearing either. And without lawyers, he explained, there can be no hearing.

Earlier this week Mr Koppe ruffled feathers by demanding the resignation of one of the Cambodian judges of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, due to start its work on Monday.
The judge in question, Ney Thol, is a prominent member of the ruling Communist party and an army general, and presided over Cambodia's military tribunal - not someone to be easily removed. On Monday, the court is to begin hearing Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's most senior surviving leader, accused of being responsible for the murder of 1.7 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.
Of the five top leaders the tribunal is to try, he is the highest-ranking. Also known as "Brother Number Two", Nuon Chea was second-in-command to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, who died in 1997.
UnauthorisedIt didn't take long before the Dutch lawyer was confronted with the consequences of challenging Cambodia's authorities. On Friday, Cambodia's bar refused to swear him in. By signing a petition requesting the judge's removal before being sworn in, the Dutch lawyer overstepped his bounds and was debarred as a punishment.

Ly Tai Seng, the bar's secretary-general, was quick to deny that his dismissal was a reprisal by the Cambodian government. Unasked, he emphasised there had been "no political pressure".

Tribunal in perilThe bar's ruling threatens to jeopardise the tribunal's procedures. Mr Koppe warned that if the court barred him from defending Mr Chea, no other lawyers would attend the hearing either. And without lawyers, he explained, there can be no hearing.

From Tinseltown to Cambodia

Rewarding work ... Scott Neeson

The Daily Telegraph
February 03, 2008

IN 1993, Australian movie executive Scott Neeson was mixing with international celebrities, launching films such as Titanic and attending the Academy Awards.

But in story is worthy of a Hollywood film, he gave it all up to move to Cambodia and help orphaned children.

"I was driven by the extent of the poverty here," he said.

Mr Neeson's goal in 2003 was tohelp 40 children. Today, the Cambodian Children's Fund provides homes, education and health care to 320 orphans.

"I'm dealing with some of the most abused, impoverished and neglected kids in the world," he said.

"It's heart breaking but incredibly rewarding."

"I would love these kids to be given a family in Australia."

Neeson's life now is a world away from the Hollywood Hills. Gone are the mansion, the Porsche and the yacht.

"I had the lifestyle of royalty. I'd be crazy not to miss it, but I have no regrets," he said.

Donations can be made at www. cambodianchildrensfund.org

Ghost of grandeur

More than meets the eye: Angkor Wat is just part of the greater Angkor complex, which includes Boeng Mealea temple.

By Terry Sweetman
February 03, 2008

IF you want a good reason to weed your garden pavers this morning, look no farther than the temple of Boeng Mealea in Cambodia.

This extraordinary 11th century structure is a tumble of massive stones resembling a Lego castle after a child's tantrum.

Its destruction is a testament to the inexorable power of fig roots and other jungle vegetation over hundreds of years.

I know the theory and I have seen the process in its relative infancy at other temples but it seems barely credible that this is the result of time rather than some instant cataclysm.

Yet there is no history of earthquake in Cambodia and not even the ruthless and murderous Khmer Rouge visited such destruction on the temples, although they quite possibly would have if they could have.

Unintentionally, the Khmer Rouge preserved Boeng Mealea from the worst trespasses of modern tourism by seeding the area with landmines.

More adventurous visitors have been trickling in for some time but a sign at the entrance tells us that Minefield M7757 was finally cleared only late last year.

(A sign reading: "This minefield funded by the Federal Republic of Germany" raises the odd eyebrow, but we know what they meant.)

Although much of Boeng Mealea is ruins, parts of the walls are largely intact, powerful reminders of the grandeur of the original structure.

It is one of the largest temples outside the main Angkor complex but it is strangely quite and reflective in the absence of hordes of tourists.

The encompassing vegetation makes it blissfully cool in the dry season but suffocatingly humid in the wet.

Travel Indochina is among the first to add the temple to its itineraries but the ubiquitous tuk-tuks are there with backpackers and others with the fortitude to make the dusty two-hour drive from Siem Reap.

Carpenters are labouring at Cambodian pace to erect protective and safety-first stairs and boardwalks but, for now, tourists are free to clamber through, over and under the ruins.

It's not archeologically correct but it's a lot of fun although, in parts, quite strenuous and potentially dangerous.

It's so far out in the boonies that the panhandlers haven't got there in strength, although the vanguard has arrived.

Making up for them are temple guards who are helpful to the point of distraction in the expectation of a buck at the other end. But before you brush them off, you might appreciate their help on some of the scrambles.

The opening up of Boeng Mealea is symbolic of a growing understanding of the magnitude, might and significance of greater Angkor, a huge complex of sophisticated temples once woven together by a network of roads and canals and home to countless villages that have disappeared into wood dust.

Guides proudly tell that at its peak of power in the 15th century 1 million people lived in Angkor at a time when London was little more than a largish town with attitude.

To an extent, our understanding suffers from the success of Angkor Wat, which many tourists think is Angkor, a little like thinking the Colosseum is Rome when it is only a fragment of the grand mosaic. And, if you ever have the joy of greeting the day at Angkor Wat, you can understand why.

It embraces you in a strange pre-dawn intimacy that gradually disappears as the rising sun reveals hundreds of shutterbugs straining to capture the sunrise shot that might somehow have eluded millions of others.

Filling the gap in the understanding of the inter-related temples and making more intelligible the relationships between Hindu deities and Buddhist worship is nearby Siem Reap's National Museum, an imaginative newcomer that still seems largely off the tourist map, although admission is included in the hefty Angkor Park entrance fee ($45 for three days).

The Angkor complex deserves the same historic and tourist attention as the remains of ancient Egypt, classical Greece and ancient Rome.

And increasingly it is getting that attention and becoming so much more than a curiosity on the backpacker track.

Siem Reap is waxing fat on the Angkor industry, which is a good thing in one of the poorest countries in the world.

People lament the hordes of tourists and the rash of new hotels but it still remains a great-value destination with accommodation ranging from the modest to the luxurious.

(Closest to the temple complex is Le Meridien, a swish newcomer with one of the best pool complexes you could hope for.)

Most of the more garish hotels on the outskirts cater for fly-in, fly-out, eat-at-the-hotel Koreans, so the centre of the city remains pretty much as ever, although increasingly clean and tidy.

And Cambodian food, which classically predates the introduction of the chilli, has a subtlety and complexity that relies on herbs and spices rather than fiery heat for its excitement.

Pick the right place and you'd have to be very hungry or very thirsty to spend more than $6 a head for dinner and drinks.

And it doesn't matter where you stay, a couple of bucks in a tuk tuk will get you to a good restaurant, a great bar and a taste of the indefinable something that is Cambodia.

CSULB hosts genocide forum

EDUCATION: The 6-day free event will feature panels, lectures and art exhibits.

By Kevin Butler, Staff Writer
02/01/2008

LONG BEACH - Experts, authors, artists and survivors of mass killings will appear at Cal State Long Beach Friday through Feb. 13 for a forum on "Modern Genocides and Global Responsibility."

Part of the college's "President's Forum on International Human Rights," the event consists of a series of lectures, art exhibits, panel discussions and film screenings exploring topics such as the meaning of genocide and the role of governments in preventing atrocities.

The events, which are free and open to the public, include a keynote address by Francis M. Deng, the United Nations' special representative of the secretary-general on the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.

Deng, who will be speaking Friday at 7 p.m. in the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, formerly was the UN secretary-general's representative on internally displaced persons and has served as a senior fellow at the the United States Institute of Peace.

Other speakers include Ishmael Beah, who recalled his harrowing experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Lone in his book, "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier."

Also scheduled to appear is Immacule Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor who recounted her ordeals and her religious awakening in her autobiography, "Left to Tell."

Among the films to be screened is "New Year Baby." Directed by Socheata Poeuv, the personal documentary explores her family members' survival in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge genocide and their journey to becoming Americans.

Poeuv, a television journalist, will be featured at the screening.

On Feb. 13, the final day of the event, a career fair will be held to offer students an opportunity to talk with representatives of human rights organizations.

The forum is sponsored by the CSULB Foundation, the Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education at the University of Southern California, the Port of Long Beach, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the California Conference for Equity and Justice, Behr Paints and Lowe's of Central Long Beach.

Although no registration is required for the free events, seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a complete schedule or for more information on parking and other issues, visit www.csulb.edu/humanrights.

Building hope in Cambodia

As part of their fundraising efforts participants in the Building Hope Trip have been offering catering services. Trip members include from left, front row: Devin McLeod and Rebecca Landry; back row: Christina Pan, Judy Magrum, Lawrence Sabourin, Jim Snider and Kai-Ann Gregory. Not seen are Audrey Landry and Rachel Vanderveen. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Thursday, January 31, 2008

DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - A group of students, teachers and community members from Fort Providence are hard at work fundraising so they can give up part of their summer holidays to help others.

Since the beginning of October students including Devin McLeod, Rebecca Landry, Audrey Landry and Lawrence Sabourin, along with teachers Jim Snider, Christina Pan and Kai-Ann Gregory, Beaver volunteer Rachel Vanderveen and community member Judy Magrum have been holding fundraising events to help them reach their goal of travelling to Cambodia.
Called the Building Hope Trip, the group plans to spend two weeks in Cambodia helping to construct part of a small building.

"We're all going to work," said Jim Snider who's organizing the trip.

The nine- by 16-metre structure will be used by a missionary couple to house local students. The couple, who are part of the Free Methodist Church, run a site in the countryside of Cambodia where children come and are fed nutritious meals and given help with their homework. The missionaries also help find sponsorship so the students can continue going to school.

Snider, a Grade 2 and 3 teacher, developed the idea that's fuelling the trip.

While teaching for four years in Taiwan, Snider travelled to other countries including Cambodia.

While visiting the Angor temples approximately five years ago, Snider was propositioned by a young child prostitute who was no older than the students he was teaching at the time.
The event shocked Snider and from it he developed a goal to provide support for organizations that are helping people in Cambodia.

In Cambodia many children don't complete school either because their families need them to work and provide income or because they can't afford school supplies.

"In Cambodia the kids are hungry for education but they can't get it," he said.

Snider had originally planned the Building Hope Trip for members of his church down south but that changed when he moved to Fort Providence.

"We thought it would be a great opportunity for kids in the North to go over and experience that," said Snider.

Snider approached Lois Philipp, the school's principal, who agreed that it would be a good experience for interested students.

"I think it's an eye-opener for the kids to go over and experience a culture that's so different from their own," he said.

By going on the trip the students will be helping others and learning about themselves in the process, said Snider.

Snider, who believes that it's important for people to work to stop social injustices, said the experience will be a life-changing one for the participants.

"When you go over, you come back totally changed. When you're changed, you start to change people in your own community," he said.

To fund their trip and the construction of the building, the group has been working to raise approximately $30,000. So far they've reached $13,000.

Since October no task has been beyond the small group. They've held luncheons and bake sales, done catering and run the recycling program for the community.

"We've been working our butts off," said Snider.

All the work is worth it, according to Devin McLeod.

When McLeod heard about the trip she jumped at the chance to join.

"It's probably one of the last times I'll have these opportunities," said McLeod, who graduates this year.

McLeod is looking forward to the sightseeing they'll do on the trip and experiencing new cultures. She also thinks it'll be fun to construct the building.

"I can't wait to do that, to do something to make a difference while I'm over there," she said.
Rebecca Landry is also excited about the opportunity.

"It will be a great experience to be part of it," said Landry.

The group will be leaving for the trip when school ends in June and will be spending two weeks in Cambodia along with a stop-over in Korea and some time in Vietnam.

10 Cambodians and Thai Agent arrested in Sattahip.

Pattaya City News

Police from Sattahip were on routine patrol on Friday Night when they spotted a pick-up containing a number of passengers who appeared not to be of Thai Origin.

It was decided to pull over the Grey Mazda pick-up which was being driven by Khun Oran aged 45.

In the back of the pick-up were 10 Cambodian Nationals, including 2 children. None had passports and one of them who could speak Thai explained that they had paid the driver to bring them from Cambodia to illegally work here in Thailand.

Khun Oran was charged with harboring illegal immigrants and the Cambodian Nationals who were on their way to the Samaer San Fishing Port will be deported at the earliest opportunity.